Confucius: To be a sage among men

Author: (American) Herbert Fingarette
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: This book closely adheres to the text of the Analects, meticulously analyzing Confucius's ideas and concepts, aiming to present the distinctive traits of his thought. The author argues that interpreting the Analects from a psychologistic and subjectivist perspective stems from a misunderstanding rooted in Western intellectual background. The essence of Confucius's thought lies in the emphasis on ritual behavior. Ritual is an expression of human nature shaped by the historical accumulation of human experience, and the practice of ritual enables human nature to be perfected within the holistic context of the community. As people skillfully practice the ritual behaviors required by various roles in human society, they ultimately achieve a composed and balanced state, infusing life with a magical charm. The sage's realm is the sacred radiance of human nature that shines through the practice of ritual, unseparated from the mundane world.